"You do love me then," I said, taking her hand in mine.
Her face paled, and she caught her breath.
"Will you not wait— a little while— before you court me?" she
faltered. "Will you not wait because I ask it of you?"
"Yes, I will wait."
"Nor speak of love— until——"
"Nor speak of love until you bid me speak."
"Nor— caress me— nor touch me— nor look in my eyes— this way—— "
Her hand had melted somehow closely into mine. We both were
trembling now; and she withdrew her hand and slowly pressed it
close against her heart, gazing at me in a white and childish
wonder, as though dumb and reproachful of some wound that I had
dealt her. And as I saw her there, so hurt and white and sweet, all
quivering under the first swift consciousness of love, I trembled,
too, with the fierce desire
